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| ARTICLE INFORMATION: Author: David Marshall Title: Take the Undersea Adventure at Tynemouth Summary: David and his sister were very impressed by the recent changes made to the "Blue Reef" public aquarium at Tynemouth, England. The various exhibits are described, including a walkthrough underwater tunnel. Contact for editing purposes: email: davidplaty@davidmarshall5.wanadoo.co.uk Date first published: August 2002. Revised after a further visit, October 2004. June 2005: Report after another visit.. Publication: Ryedale Reporter, Ryedale Aquarist Society, Yorkshire, England http://www.ryedaleaquaristsociety.co.uk Reprinted from Aquarticles: |
ARTICLE USE: Internet publication (club or non-profit web site): 1. Credit author, original publication, and Aquarticles. 2. Link to http://www.aquarticles.com and original website if applicable. 3. Advise Aquarticles Printed publication: Mail one printed copy to each of: David Marshall, 16 Potter Hill, Pickering. North Yorkshire YO18 8AA England Aquarticles.com #205 - 5525 West Boulevard Vancouver, British Columbia V6M 3W6 Canada |
Focus on a Public Aquarium in North Eastern England: by David Marshall
As you make your way through the door to the exhibits you are face to face with a new exhibit that houses several terrapins alongside 150 common goldfish and 150 comet goldfish.
Next comes a long but shallow tank home to native freshwater rudd, common carp and tench. This mixture certainly worked and all the fish were in immaculate condition.
We now move onto 'North Sea Coast'. Here there are around 10 display aquaria, which vary greatly in size and depth etc., that are home to a variety of aquatic creatures that include lobsters, crabs and pipefish. Highlight of this particular section is the Ray Pool were several species of these magnificently camouflaged fish share their home with smooth hounds and some large shoaling fish species. Next comes 'Warmer Waters'. Around 15 display aquaria, all tuned to different themes, contain a fantastic array of fish and other aquatic creatures from the Mediterranean. The most unusual display contained a cuttlefish but this particular creature was not of the 'showy type' and kept itself clear of prying eyes by propelling itself from one hiding place to another. My favourite display was 'Predators' which mixed species that included lionfish, blue spotted rays and a black-faced pufferfish. As these particular fish were all youngsters they mixed very amicably but you just got the feeling that this may not be the case as they mature? (Note: When I visited again in October 2004 these fish had been moved into the 'Sea of Cortez.' In their place is a very interesting exhibit that features the shoaling instincts of anchovies).
Finally comes the 'Sea of Cortez'. This is the centrepiece of the aquarium with a spectacular coral reef display housed within a gigantic 250,000-litre ocean tank (which used to hold North Sea shark species in days gone by). Running through the centre of this tank is a walkthrough tunnel and never have we felt so close to tropical marine fish and with no conveyor belt to rush you through, and choosing a very quiet day on which to visit we just let the spectacle around us unfold. Shoals of fox fish, sgt. majors, finger fish, black tip sharks, blue-green trumpet fish and various 'single' angel and puffer species are all around you and over your head. The experience is stunning and matches any tropical marine display we have previously come across. All of these fish are only youngsters and once they grow the spectacle should increase and even change as the species mentioned move from juvenile to full adult colouration.
Recently installed, at the entrance to the 'Sea of Cortez', are several vivariums that display a variety of tropical frog species, and an Education Room is now in operation, where youngsters can touch various rock pool inhabitants, see young fish and new arrivals in quarantine, and learn about marine mammals. The 'new owner' of this particular enterprise has kept the core of the Sea-Life display aquaria, removed and added others and changed many of the fish species and other aquatic life the Centre used to display. A fantastic job has been done, with not an ill or unhappy fish to be seen, plenty of information boards about the species to be viewed, displays so well thought out and aquascaping to the finest of detail. Yes I have one grumble in that the gift shop display does not carry enough items of interest to the adult visitor. The Blue Reef is located on the Grand Parade (next door to the Park Hotel), Tynemouth and U.K readers can obtain more information on 0191 258 1031. We leave the last words on the Blue Reef to Sue - 'The transformation of this Centre is amazing. I loved the Cortez display as there is so much continual movement and fish you had not seen one minute are in front of your eyes the next. The display of colours in this display alone is unbelievable. If you are on holiday in the North East region of the U.K. or visiting friends etc. within an easy driving distance of Tynemouth it is worth making a special journey to visit the Blue Reef.' Tynemouth (which is only a few miles away from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, North Eastern England) itself is also a lovely 'village' and the natural scenery, provided by the cliffs and seashore, around the Priory is a 'hidden treasure' of North East England. Front Street has some excellent eating places and one of the strangest of shops that is like a bizarre of glassware, children's mobiles, jewellery and exotic clothes. The beautiful scenery of Northumberland is a short drive away. FUN TIME - Why are male lionfish unable to use electric shavers? Because they have no mains. David's report after a further visit: The Blue Reef 2005 In early June 2005 Sue and I made a return visit to the Blue Reef Aquarium at Tynemouth. As a number of changes have taken place to the exhibits I am writing this small article in order to update our Aquarticles review.
As we entered the aquarium we found that the terrapins and common goldfish continue to live in harmony. The beautifully aquascaped tropical freshwater display remains as it was and they have a strange mixture of fish species here that includes Ancistrus, black neon tetra, silver shark, neon tetra and various species of molly. The piranha display is now down to three extremely large individuals.
The native freshwater fish exhibit has now been replaced by one housing a number of river turtles. The décor of tree branches, ferns and running water has been so well put together that you have to let your eyes do plenty of adjusting in order to spot the well hidden turtles. As yet there are no display boards to let you know the exact species and their homeland etc. but these beautiful creatures were seized by customs officials during a raid on a London premises. The number of native marine exhibits has been condensed, although a good number and range of species are still displayed. The beauty of our native wrasse always entrances me. The number of rays has been greatly reduced and these majestic creatures have a 'new home' in a display that is longer than their old pool and cleverly designed in order to recreate a sea floor of several levels. With room available a selection of 'oddball' marine creatures from around the World are now on display. I was fascinated by the mouth movements of an Alaskan giant crab but one young visitor was so afraid of this creature that he literally screamed the place down. What a surprise at the former Ray Pool? This has now been completely redesigned to form the habitat for a pair of Asian short-clawed otters. What a spectacle these two 'stars' put on for 'their' visitors as they frolicked around the décor - although the male did get a little rough with his mate at times. To the frustration of a number of visitors the lighting used in this exhibit prevented clear photography.
Now we are into the tropical marine section. The coral reef display tank, which took 9 years to mature, remains the centre piece and the yellow tang here are a sight to behold. The anchovy display had me mesmerised as these fish move around in such a tight shoal. With the predatory species finally outgrowing the space of the final exhibit aquarium they have moved into the Sea of Cortez to be replaced by an assortment of boxfish and cowfish. The amphibian displays have been enhanced since our previous visit. Sue loves the dainty tree crogs whereas the cane toads fascinated me and there is little wonder that these giants are said to be able to swallow chickens and small kittens.
Finally we arrive at the Sea of Cortez 'walkthrough acrylic tunnel'. Remaining in all its glory the various tropical marine species housed here make a stunning display. I was lucky enough to catch shark feeding time and slithers of fish are placed onto wooden canes and literally shoved into the noses of the various shark species and boy did they quickly consume this easily caught meal. In conclusion the Blue Reef remains an excellent place to visit. If anything the changes have added to the overall aquatic appeal and have been done in great taste. We look forward to our next visit. Just a quick reminder that the Blue Reef is situated on the Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North-East England. As an extra 'fishy bonus' an excellent small aquatic retail outlet known as Joe Hill Aquatics has opened in nearby Whitley Bay. If you leave your car in the Blue Reef public car park you can catch the regular bus service into Whitley Bay Town Centre. Walk back for a few minutes along the bus route and you will find Station Road on your right-hand side. The outlet, again on your right-hand side, is halfway down this street and is currently open 7 days a week. |
